East: Police Speed Awareness Campaign Begins

Suffolk police will be targeting motorists who risk lives by speeding this week, as part of a week-long enforcement campaign.

The campaign, led by TISPOL, the European Traffic Police Network, begins today, Monday 16 and will run until Sunday 22 April, seeing an increased amount of checks and enforcement across Suffolk.

Speeding is one of the ‘Fatal Four’ driving offences alongside drink driving, using a mobile phone and seatbelt offences. Last year there were 28 fatal collisions on Suffolk’s roads resulting in 30 deaths. In six of these incidents speeding was identified as being a contributory factor. In 2010 speeding was a contributing factor in just under a third of road deaths in the county.

Officers will be interacting with drivers during the campaign; aiming to highlight dangers of speeding and the consequences that driving above the limit can have through education and enforcement.

Motorists caught speeding will face a £60 fixed penalty notice and three points on their licence. Under certain circumstances drivers could be taken to court where they may face larger fines and disqualification from driving.

Sgt Paul Ward of the Casualty Reduction Team said: “Our aim is to reduce the amount of casualties on Suffolk’s roads through both education and enforcement and speeding is one of the ‘fatal four’ driving offences. Those who speed need to realise that they are not only putting their lives at risk but also the lives of other road users and by sticking to the legal speed limits you can greatly reduce the chances of causing unnecessary collisions."